Barrio America: How Latino Immigrants Saved the American City

by A.K. Sandoval-Strausz

The compelling history of how Latino immigrants revitalized the nation's cities after decades of disinvestment and white flight

Thirty years ago, most people were ready to give up on American cities. We are commonly told that it was a "creative class" of young professionals who revived a moribund urban America in the 1990s and 2000s. But this stunning reversal owes much more to another, far less visible Latino and Latina newcomers.

Award-winning historian A. K. Sandoval-Strausz reveals this history by focusing on two Chicago's Little Village and Dallas's Oak Cliff. These neighborhoods lost residents and jobs for decades before Latin American immigration turned them around beginning in the 1970s. As Sandoval-Strausz shows, Latinos made cities dynamic, stable, and safe by purchasing homes, opening businesses, and reviving street life. Barrio America uses vivid oral histories and detailed statistics to show how the great Latino migrations transformed America for the better.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Latinx, Immigration, Urban Planning, Urbanism, Sociology

417 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

A. K. Sandoval-Strausz is director of the Latina/o studies program and associate professor of history at Penn State University. He is the author of Hotel: An American History and coeditor of Making Cities Global. He lives in State College, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

a book about immigration history that doesn't center on New York City? Groundbreaking!

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very interesting and well written. A lot of info to process about Latinx communities and their positive effects on American cities. Goes into politics, urban renewal and planning, etc. A very informative read. Highly recommend. Best reads pile. Statistic heavy so was a slow read.

[Jenna Spinelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book paints a picture of Latino immigrants that runs counter to what we often hear in the media. It focuses on Dallas and Chicago in the 1960s and 70s, but you could easily say the same thing about Hazleton, Pennsylvania and Sioux City, Iowa today.

I talked with A.K. about the book and Latino immigrants in American democracy on a podcast I host and produce. You can really hear his passion for the topic come through in the interview: https://www.democracyworkspodcast.com...

[Mike Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating study on the role Latinos played in saving US cities between 1960 and now. The book was well researched, so a legitimate history, but engaging because of the liberal use of personal stories and vignettes. As Anglos were abandoning cities and the infrastructure was collapsing in the 60s and 70s, Latino immigrants began to move in to specific neighborhoods to take over abandoned jobs and create new ones through their entrepreneurial spirit. They succeeded despite systematic and blatant racism and institutional structures meant to keep them isolated. They stabilized the cities, reversed the population decline and once they reached critical mass in the 90s, reversed rising crime trends and made cities safer.

Over a number of books the past few years, I am distressed to realize what a white-washed ('white' being the operative word) version of US history I was taught in high school. Dr. Sandoval-Strausz fills in a lot of blanks.

The book focuses on a specific neighborhood in Chicago and one in Dallas, but regularly generalizes the discussion to include other major US cities.

Since I am a professor and used to grading things, I need to pick a few nits. I freely admit these are nits and do not detract from an excellent text. There are places where the text is a bit repetitive - the point is made and the narrative could move on. The book gives a legitimately positive picture of Latino neighborhoods and influence, but could have been more honest with addressing gang activity. Having said that, I freely admit the overall impact on crime was extremely positive. Finally, the Catholic church receives some good shout-outs, but I suspect the systematic impact of the church played a more prominent role that the book addressed. In particular, liberation theology was big in the countries many migrants came from - what role did that play in their migration and subsequent lives? Again, these are minor points, and I respect Dr. Sandoval-Strausz's choices on what to include and what to cut.

[Alexis Rickmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly detailed account the role Latino/Hispanic communities played in shaping Oak Cliff/parts of Chicago. One of the most informative books I’ve read!

[Amanda Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating read that shows how many early Latino generations did what they could to survive in areas like Chicago back in times of segregation. It does show that some did resort to anti-black mentalities as well as white passing as well. Not showing one innocent over the others and stating facts. While it is intriguing there was a lot of information thrown at me and while I did check the notes it did not always have me invested at times. Still if you want to know more about Latino American history, this book would be a solid start.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had this book on my "to-read" list for awhile but wanted a library copy. I'm not sure how I came across this title but I wanted to read more about how Latino immigrants helped revitalize areas that had been plagued by neglect, white flight, a lack of interest, etc. I will admit to not being very familiar with the areas the author focuses on (Chicago's Little Village and Dallas's Oak Cliff) but all the same it sounded really interesting.

Basically the author takes the reader through those two neighborhoods, their histories, how they got there, how Latino immigrants moved in and changed these neighborhoods, some of the problems and issues that are involved, the implications it has for urban planning and urban renewal, the legacies of racism, colonialism, etc. that also affected how and why these particular neighborhoods have changed the way they have, etc.

That said, the criticisms are correct. The book is really dense, statistic heavy and occasionally really tough to read. It read like an academic paper that may got interesting anecdotes and histories added to help with a narrative flow but it was tough to get through. Author Sandoval-Strausz is a professor, which is probably why it doesn't quite work for me (books by academics are often a tough sell).

However, there are certainly upsides. It was nice to see a book about Latinos/Latinas that was not in place you might "think" would be a common place (NYC, areas in the West/Southwest, etc.). Again, I am not really familiar with either place Sandoval-Strausz chose to focus on, but I'll bet for the right audience this would be a fascinating book.

Wouldn't be surprised to see this pop up on college-level or higher syllabi on immigrantion, Latino/Latina history in the US, urban planning, etc. As a layperson with not much knowledge I would say this was hard to read but again, for the right person it'd probably be a fantastic pickup. Would recommend the book 'The Color of Law' by Richard Rothstein as a supplement if you're interested in examining this topic from how the US government deliberately segregated US cities.

Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.

[Lisa-Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was energized by this provocative, compelling argument that Latino immigrants revitalized our failing cities. With meticulous research, the book upends many current arguments about the negative aspects of immigration. When 1950s-era federal government financing, industrial collapse, and outright racism destroyed the heart of the urban neighborhoods, many cities were left burned out and empty. Sandoval-Strausz carefully documents how immigrants were the first on the scene to reclaim and rebuild. The story is supported by rich statistics which prove that immigrants are committed, creative, and persistent partners in the American dream. The systemic racism outlined by the author breaks my heart. You cannot doubt the sizable structural barriers confronting immigrants, such as lack of home loans, wage discrimination, and school funding crises. One chapter details how city governments turned to "at large" voting to mute the influence of certain immigrant neighborhoods.

I learned a great deal of context about American immigration laws, including how the 1968 Act set "country quotas" that suddenly redefined labor migration from Mexico as unlawful. This started some leaders down the absurd and cruel path to the policies now playing out on our southern border. Fortunately, the 1986 Immigration Reform Act welcomed many who flooded the ghostly cities with new energy. None other than President Reagan supported it: "I believe in amnesty for those who have put down roots and lived here, even though sometime back they may have entered illegally." Strom Thurmond supported it! Business interests supported it to increase workers! "They saw immigrants transforming urban space through the way they interacted in public places and the way they earned a living in their shops and barrio streets." After reading this book I have renewed energy for the fight against racism and xenophobia in America. Immigrants are a key part of our electoral coalitions. They are some of our best assets in our neighborhoods and a powerful hope for our future.

[Viral · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read about the history of Latin American immigration to U.S. cities in the late 1900s and how important it was to preventing our cities from dying amidst white flight. The book focuses on the neighborhoods of Little Village in Chicago and Oak Cliff in Dallas, and use them as case studies to look at how waves of Latinos found their ways into cities and organized themselves politically into crucial urban residents and political economic actors.

My main critique of this book is how it ended on a very aspirational positive note about the future of Latino immigrant politics and organizing in America, and doesn't really address the fact that new tensions are emerging in Latino neighborhoods as decades pass and economic and political divides expand. As the first waves of immigrants become more stable well off homeowners and business owners, there is absolutely a growing tension between them and newer, younger, more impoverished arrivals. I see this first hand in the political divides here in Chicago, and this book doesn't really address the assimilation that is slowly happening to the older generations of Latinos who came here in the 70s and 80s.

This was still a solid read though, and a crucial piece to any critical urban studies curriculum!

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barrio America is an excellent analysis of immigration and urbanization in the United States and the world. The author took complex topics and made them easy to understand. The concepts are well rounded and gather perspective from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Although the title suggests a focus on Latin American immigration, the author describes the history of immigration, urban planning, segregation, and racism in two cities- Chicago and Dallas. In full disclosure, I am from the Chicagoland area, so I have a positive bias toward books that help me understand the metropolitan landscape from where I was raised. Still, the story told is worth reading by a types of audiences. I recommend it to anyone interested in history and culture.

[Maxine Bruel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barrio America was a near-perfect book. It challenged beliefs I was unaware I held and was incredibly persuasive. Barrio America is also well-sourced, expertly written, and organized. I can only remember once or twice where Sandoval-Strausz repeated information, making it a nonrepetitive read.
However, Barrio America falls flat with the last couple of chapters and a lackluster conclusion. Arguments are not as well supported or sourced; they are not as persuasive, and even the syntax and word variety suffer. The last part of the book, while still fine, pales in comparison to the rest.
Notwithstanding the ending, Barrio America is a great read that I still would recommend even if the ending is off.

[evelyn taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting history of Latin American immigrants in American cities, based on ethnographic studies of neighborhoods in Chicago and Dallas. The book bills itself as a history of how these immigrants helped revive American cities after their mid-20th century decline, but only the last third of the book is really about that. The author traces a longer history, ending with revival and gentrification. I wish the author had spent more time contrasting the two different environments, and providing more analysis of why they differed. However, it is still a good introduction to a topic about which not much has been written.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

As American cities emptied of white residents and suburban communities grew, fear that our cities would dissolve and become ghost towns was very real. This book left me with a much greater understanding of the history of Latino immigration and the positive impact on the United States in general and cities specifically. As we experience the divisive and systemically racist country that exists in the US at this time, this more solid historic perspective of the positive impacts of Latino immigration is important for all of us to understand.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very timely book that explains the revitalization of American cities by Latino immigrants. Primarily focusing on Dallas and Chicago the author explains how Latinos moved in as Whites flew out of urban areas. This is an especially illuminating book right now as ICE and CBP are tearing through Little Village and Pilsen in Chicago indiscriminately arresting people both citizens and undocumented peoples alike.

Recommended for anyone who wants to know about Latino’s contributions to American cities.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barrio America by AK Sandoval-Strausz should be required reading for any political science major or journalist. Perhaps for all Americans! Barrio America will increase your understanding of Latino immigrants and their role in saving cities across the US. Looking forward to the next read from Sandoval-Strausz. His writing style is engaging and compelling.

[Emma Colón · Rating 3 out of 5]

really informative, especially for those who are interested in redlining, urban development, and the disparities latinos face in the workforce/housing. very statistic heavy, though, so it's a slow read. but that last chapter was SO GOOD.

[Coolguy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent urban history that suffers from the primary fault of unnecessarily prolonged tangents into general American history. But every bit of it is so well written that it is easy to forgive the occasional loss of focus.

[Leslie A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t get into it. Didn’t finish